There was a brightness in the weather and in faces of Friends as we gathered on the South porch of Stillwater meetinghouse to register for Yearly Meeting. Our smiles reflected the greetings of those we had not seen for a while, those we had only seen on a screen, and others we were meeting for the first time. It was encouraging to notice an increase in attendance. We felt joy in knowing that God is at work here.
We felt the absence of Friends we missed through illness, infirmity and passing. But many of those we would see on the screen, and they were all in our hearts. They are forever in our fellowship.
Our times of worship were deeply gathered. Love echoed in both the messages and in the silence. We experienced the love Christ showers upon us, and we prayed that we be worthy of it. We prayed to be able to share it with a world that so desperately needs it.
One morning, while watching the dawn from the South porch, a day of visitation occurred. The Lord knocked on our door, and it was opened. He became our God and we became His people. The dawn light shone brighter and brighter until the perfect day appeared.
We dove into our business, with appointments, query summaries and committee reports. It all was framed with a reverence for our Lord.
We labored with difficult questions that uncovered differences. In the depths of our work, the enemy had the audacity to enter our discussions. But he was noticed and we quickly turned away from him. Even this moment glorified God as it caused us to remember the love we have for each other and how we must guard that love in all we do. Our differences did not evaporate, but we became more tender with each other and in our prayers, we frequently asked that the Lord draw us closer.
There was a balm in the depths of our silent worship as we remembered that God can do anything.
In that worship, we realized how natural it is for us to ask God for blessings in this natural life: health, home, sustenance. And we thank God that he blesses us with these things. But Christ did not come to preserve this natural life. He came to end it. The life of the natural-will has ended. This is not death of the body, but death of the will. When it dies, it is replaced with God’s will. This happens here and now. We do not have to wait.
In that worship, we remembered Peter’s reaction to the vast load of fish that appeared at Christ’s command. Peter fell on his face, afraid. This was a human fear, arising from witnessing great power. When God pours out His grace upon us, we can have the same fear. That grace can be so intimate yet so powerful. But as we transform our human fear of power into an awe of God, we delight in him and he delights in us. Sometimes we experience fear when he calls on us to act. But he provides us power and boldness. We prayed to lay aside our human fear and be bold in all He calls us to do.
In that worship, we heard from the Lord: I am pouring out my gifts to you, without measure without price. Do you have eyes to see and ears to hear the gifts I am sending to you? Open your hearts dearly beloved, for I am coming among you. Open your hearts to my freely given love that pours out like a mighty river to quench every thirst.
In the evenings, we became as little children, eating ice cream and catching fireflies.
We invited Alicia McBride of FCNL to converse with us. She read us Psalm 46. In the heart of that Psalm it says, “Our LORD and our God is with us.” Alicia relayed how FCNL felt that God was with them in their work. She emphasized how important it was for them to come to a sacred center before they set out. During the conversation, the concerns of Ohio Yearly Meeting were reviewed along with that of individual Friends. The exchange was frank, but tender. Something was renewed.
Our Peace committee introduced us to several Friends. One was led to support those threatened by our overzealous government. In prayerful vigils he found a deeper spiritual life and demonstrated to those on the picket line how peace can be found in a simple Meeting for Worship. We also heard from one whose indigenous ancestors suffered from the influx of Europeans. Her spiritual connection to those ancestors and to nature dovetailed with her experience among Friends. Both allowed her to develop a universal kinship with all life on earth. Finally, a Venezuelan Friend described the sufferings his country has gone through. His Christian faith led him through times we cannot imagine. His perseverance was striking. His unshaken commitment to our Lord through it all demonstrated the power that comes from a walk with Christ.
The week left us tired, but satisfied in all that we accomplished. We spent hours conducting business and we made difficult decisions. But we found many things to be encouraged by. We experienced the depths of many gathered meetings. We felt both the love between us and His love, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
We now conclude, purposing to gather again on Eighth Month 3rd, 2027, if it should so, be His will.
